Starbucks has grown into one of the largest coffee brands in the entire world, and for many people, it represents everything from a special treat to a daily routine.
Many people turn to Starbucks beverages for their afternoon “pick me up,” and wonder if there are any options on the menu suitable for children.
We have handpicked five of the most popular options when it comes to Starbucks drinks for kids and highlighted the ingredients in each drink to simplify the ordering process.
Starbucks Drinks For Kids
Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate is one of the most popular children’s beverages in the world, and it is also enjoyed by adults every day. The holidays are the most popular time to enjoy hot chocolate drinks, and many children associate the month of December with delicious mugs of hot chocolate.
Each holiday season, Starbucks is well known for rolling out its signature red holiday cups. If you pay close attention this December, you will see plenty of kids holding “tall” red Starbucks cups, the majority of which are filled with Starbucks’ signature hot chocolate drink.
Starbucks hot chocolate is constructed with two percent milk, though almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk can be substituted for those who prefer to avoid lactose. Two pumps of mocha syrup are then added to the drink in the “kids” sized variation, which is eight ounces in total.
There is also one pump of vanilla syrup added to the kids-sized hot chocolate, for a total of three flavor pumps in an eight-ounce beverage. Whipped cream is then added to the top of the beverage, and it is finished with a mocha drizzle over the whipped cream.
As with all Starbucks beverages, each ingredient in the kid’s hot chocolate can be customized. By ordering the drink as “kids” sized instead of “short,” the barista should automatically prepare the drink at a kid-friendly temperature, though it never hurts to specify while ordering.
Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberry lemonade is a very popular summertime beverage that is enjoyed by adults and children alike. Some people are unaware that Starbucks is able to make a strawberry lemonade beverage for kids, while others swear by it and have been ordering religiously for years.
It should be noted that the “kids” sized cup is only available for hot beverages at Starbucks, and the smallest option for iced beverages is called a “tall.” This is to compensate for the amount of liquid dispersed by the addition of ice to these chilled beverages.
While this drink is not technical on the menu, there are many knowledgeable Starbucks employees who will intuitively know how to make it. In other cases, your barista may not be aware of this custom kids’ drink, which is where knowing the beverage’s ingredients comes in handy.
To order a kid’s strawberry lemonade from scratch, start by telling your barista you’’ be using a tall iced cup. Then simply have them combine lemonade and strawberry puree over ice, and your children’s beverage is completed!
Iced Strawberry Milk
The Starbucks iced strawberry milk is a bright and fun beverage that rose to prominence shortly after the advent of the “pink drink.” With the rise in popularity of these bright pink adult drinks, many children found themselves feeling left out – as they could not enjoy the caffeine-laden drinks.
The iced strawberry milk is a very simple Starbucks beverage that can be directly compared to cold strawberry-flavored milk. It is made using two percent milk, though almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk can be substituted for vegans or those who prefer to avoid cow’s milk.
While the majority of Starbucks baristas should be fairly experienced in constructing this popular children’s beverage, it is always helpful to know the ingredients just in case you need to “custom order” the drink from scratch.
This simple three-step drink is made using a combination of milk, ice, and strawberry puree. This drink is most often served over ice, though some children prefer a more “frosted” version, in which case it is best to order this drink blended.
Caramel Apple Spice
The Starbucks caramel apple spice is a very popular drink that sees huge sales worldwide every year when the temperatures drop. This signature wintertime beverage is served hot, and it uses Starbucks cinnamon dolce syrup to achieve its sweetness.
The kids-sized version of this drink is eight ounces and is made at a temperature that is cooler than in hot beverages intended for adults. The kids-sized caramel apple spice contains two pumps of Starbucks cinnamon dolce syrup and uses a base of hot tea for a unique taste.
This is a great drink to order for your little one when the popularity of pumpkin spice lattes explode at Starbucks each year in the fall.
While kids can not enjoy the espresso from these popular “PSL” drinks, they can feel included in the fall festivities with a kids caramel apple spice drink.
Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk
One of the most popular Starbucks drinks to be released in the past few years has been the iced shaken brown sugar oat milk espresso. It has become extremely popular among adults who are either vegan or simply prefer oat milk to cow’s milk.
While the iced shaken brown sugar oat milk espresso is a fantastic drink for adults who need a boost of energy during the day, it is not a good option for children as it contains espresso. Luckily, this sweet and smooth beverage can be constructed without espresso, which makes for a great kids’ drink.
The sweetness in this drink comes from a combination of brown sugar and cinnamon flavorings, both of which are favorites of children each fall and winter seasons. The extra space in the drink that is reserved for espresso in adult versions is replaced with extra oat milk, leading to a smooth and delicious children’s beverage.
While there is no specific kid-sized beverage cup at Starbucks for iced drinks, the tall size is the most popular option for kids’ beverages. While this sweet treat may not be suitable for kids on a daily basis, it is a fun treat that contains less sugar than a regular scoop of ice cream.
Starbucks Drinks For Kids – Conclusion
When it comes to Starbucks drinks for kids, there are many different options on the menu that are suitable for children. The best size options when it comes to ordering for kids are “short” for hot beverages, and “tall” for iced beverages.
It is also a good idea to order any hot drinks for children at “kids temperature,” which ensures that the drink will not be hot enough to burn the child.
From warm cups of hot chocolate to refreshing strawberry lemonade drinks, there are enough options on the Starbucks menu to ensure there is a good option for your little companion!
